Gaming Consoles Compared: Home, Handheld, Disc
Home consoles plug into a TV, handhelds carry their own screen and hybrids do both; a digital edition skips the disc drive, and a PS5 draws 200 to 220 watts.
By Paul SyversonFounder.
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The short answer
Consoles come in three shapes:
- Home consoles connect to a TV or monitor, like a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X.
- Handhelds have a built-in screen and battery and go anywhere.
- Hybrids work as a handheld and also dock to a TV, like the Nintendo Switch.
Of the 557 gaming consoles listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, 367 state a form: 195 home, 111 handheld and 61 hybrid.
Consoles by platform
| Platform | Consoles on Wiki Shopping |
|---|---|
| Retro | 121 |
| Xbox | 94 |
| PlayStation | 81 |
| Nintendo | 78 |
| PC handheld | 32 |
Retro consoles are small machines that come loaded with older games. PC handhelds run computer games on a portable screen.
Digital vs disc console
A digital edition has no disc drive, so every game comes as a download from the console's store. A disc model also plays physical games and, on PlayStation, movies on disc.
- PlayStation 5: Sony sells a disc drive that adds disc play to the PS5 Digital Edition (the slim CFI-2000 model group and CFI-2100) and to the PS5 Pro. It plays 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD, and pairing it needs an internet connection the first time.
- Xbox Series S: Microsoft sells it as all-digital, with no disc drive and no support for disc games.
Sony's disc drive page also says that from January 2028, newly released PlayStation games will be sold in digital form, while discs of games released before then keep working.
Pick a disc model if you buy used games, borrow games or watch movies on disc. Pick digital if you buy everything online and want to save on the console. On Wiki Shopping, 48 consoles are listed as a digital edition.
How many watts does a PS5 use
Sony publishes measured power figures for each PS5 model. A few from that page:
| Model | Playing PS5 games (HD) | Home menu (HD) | Rest mode, all options on |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 Pro (CFI-7021) | 215.2 W | 43.6 W | 3.6 W |
| PS5 slim, disc (CFI-2016) | 216.8 W | 46.4 W | 3.8 W |
| PS5 slim, Digital Edition (CFI-2016) | 214.3 W | 46.4 W | 3.8 W |
| First PS5, disc (CFI-1016A) | 196.9 W | 43.1 W | 3.7 W |
The gaming figure is Sony's average over three games. Playing a 4K Blu-ray on the CFI-2016 disc model draws 80.4 W. The power level barely changes between disc and digital models, so the choice comes down to how you buy games.
How long does a PS5 last
Sony does not list a rated lifespan on the pages above. In practice, a console stays useful as long as its maker keeps releasing games and online services for it.
How we count
Form, platform and edition are read from each console's store listing. Consoles that do not state a value are left out of that count. Power figures come from Sony's own ecodesign page.
Shop by spec
Gaming Consoles
PC handheld, Legion Go, Handheld
+32GB RAM for demanding PC games
+1TB SSD storage for a sizable game library
+120Hz refresh rate on the 8-inch touchscreen
$949.99-39%List: $1,555.99
as of 11/03/2026 23:53 PST - DetailsProduct details
$949.99as of 11/03/2026 23:53 PST - Details
View on AmazonPros
+32GB RAM for demanding PC games
+1TB SSD storage for a sizable game library
+120Hz refresh rate on the 8-inch touchscreen
+Radeon 780M graphics for PC gaming
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- SteamOS-Based Gaming Experience – Runs SteamOS for fast boot, smooth updates, native access to your Steam library, cloud saves, and built-in controller remapping.
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Inside – Powerful APU with integrated Radeon 780M / RDNA 3 graphics for high performance in a compact handheld.
- 8″ 120 Hz Touch Display – Crisp WUXGA (1920×1200) touchscreen panel with 120 Hz refresh rate and support for VRR (variable refresh)
- 32 GB LPDDR5x Memory + 1 TB SSD – Fast memory and generous storage to handle large games and fast load times.
- All-in-One Chassis Design – Controllers, buttons, triggers all integrated into the body, no detachable parts, making it more rugged and compact.
- Robust Connectivity – Dual USB-C ports (USB4 / DisplayPort / PD), microSD support, 3.5 mm audio, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth
- Comfort & Build – Ergonomic design with good grip, well-balanced weight (≈1.61 lb / 730 g).
- Included in Box – The console, 65 W USB-C power adapter + cable, and user guide. (Standard accessories)
$36.99-38%List: $59.99
as of 11/04/2026 00:19 PST - DetailsProduct details
$36.99as of 11/04/2026 00:19 PST - Details
View on AmazonOther stores (1)
Best BuyVisit store
About this product
- 🕹️ Officially licensed titles: Includes POLE POSITION and POLE POSITION II. A classic 1982 arcade racing game by Namco.
- High resolution 3.5" full color display. Features artwork inspired by the original POLE POSITION arcade cabinet. Dimensions: 4" L x 4.25" W x 7.5" H
- 🎮Realistic racing controls, High score saving,
- Built-in speaker with volume control. 3.5 mm headphone port. Adjustable screen brightness.
- Powered by either 4 AA batteries (not included) or a USB-C cable (not included).
Retro
+Compact 6.75-inch arcade machine design
+Preloaded with Space Invaders retro games
$39.00-13%List: $44.99
as of 11/04/2026 00:19 PST - DetailsProduct details
$39.00as of 11/04/2026 00:19 PST - Details
View on AmazonPros
+Compact 6.75-inch arcade machine design
+Preloaded with Space Invaders retro games
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- Officially Licensed: This is an officially licensed Taito title, ensuring an authentic gaming experience.
- 🕹️ Retro Gaming: This compact SPACE INVADERS micro player is a must-have for any retro gaming enthusiast or collector. Features artwork inspired by the original Space Invaders arcade cabinet. Built-in speaker with volume control
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy SPACE INVADERS on the go on your own privately.
- 🔋 Portable Gameplay: Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included) or by a USB-C cable (not included)
- 🎁 Collector's Item: A must-own for collectors and fans of Space Invaders. Perfect for any game room, office or display case!
- High Resolution: This collectible game features a high-resolution 2.75-inch full-color display, allowing you to immerse yourself in the classic gameplay.
- Dimensions: 4"W x 6.8"H x 4.5"D
- User Guide Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Japanese and Arabic
Spec score 8.0
PC handheld, Legion Go, Handheld, 1TB
+Handheld form for playing away from a television
+8.8-inch WQXGA OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
+AMD Ryzen Z2 processor for PC handheld gaming
−Small 8.8-inch screen compared with a television
−Handheld design depends on battery for portable play
$1,449.00-8%Was: $1,579.00
as of 11/03/2026 23:53 PST - DetailsProduct details
$1,449.00as of 11/03/2026 23:53 PST - Details
View on AmazonSpec score8.0
Pros
+Handheld form for playing away from a television
+8.8-inch WQXGA OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
+AMD Ryzen Z2 processor for PC handheld gaming
+Large 1000 GB storage for a big game library
Cons−Small 8.8-inch screen compared with a television
−Handheld design depends on battery for portable play
Compared with this page+OLED screen: only 17 of 357 here have one
How pros and cons are picked (About: Disclaimer)About this product
- MAX POWER, YOUR RULES – Play your way with the Lenovo Legion Go 2. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, a vibrant 8.8" 144Hz Lenovo PureSight OLED gaming display, and a massive 74Whr battery, it’s built to push further, game longer, and stay unplugged.
- MAX COOLING, MANUAL CONTROL – The Legion Coldfront thermal system is built to handle serious heat. Increased radiators and fan blade’s surface area improves the airflow without increasing the noise. Upgraded dual heat pipes distribute heat more efficiently to keep your rig powerful and precise.
- UNLOCK MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY – Experience total freedom with the Legion Truestrike controllers. In FPS mode, the right controller can be detached, docked and operated as a mouse, giving you the edge in every firefight.
- SPEED + IMMERSION – The OLED gaming panel combines blazing speed and visual depth in a single, immersive experience. Game without compromise aided by the ultra-fast response rates, perfect blacks, and vivid color.
- BUILT TO OUTLAST – The Legion Go 2 packs 74Whr of serious staying power. That means longer sessions, higher settings, and fewer compromises, whether you're gaming at full performance or tweaking settings on the go.
- LAG-FREE AND LOCKED IN – Stay in the game with Wi-Fi 6E for faster speeds and stable connections, even during intense action. Dock your Legion Go and use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect controllers and headsets seamlessly.
- SPEC’D FOR SERIOUS PLAY – The Legion Go 2 is equipped with 16GB of memory and 1TB PCIe SSD storage to keep your loadouts fast and responsive. Power through favorite titles, multitask seamlessly, and stay locked in without lag or slowdown.
- FROM FOOTSTEPS TO FLANKS, NOTHING GOES UNHEARD – The Legion Go 2’s integrated dual 2W speaker system is enhanced with Nahimic Audio and Spatial Audio support. From subtle enemy footsteps to explosive impacts, sound becomes a tactical advantage that helps you track threats and react faster.